CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c#.netvisual-studio
abenci
abenci

Reputation: 8675

Replacing a base assembly with source code in .NET

Suppose you have an assembly B that references A and you have the source code for the assembly A only. Is it possible to build from source code the assembly A and debug it?

Currently we get this error:

Could not load file or assembly 'name' or one of its dependencies. The located assembly's manifest definition does not match the assembly reference.

Is there any way to bypass it?

Upvotes: 0

Views: 217

Answers (1)

JonasH
JonasH

Reputation: 36659

This will depend on if the original assembly A that is referenced is strongly named. This is a feature where assemblies are signed. Keys for all compile time references are stored in the built assembly, B in your case. When loading assemblies the loader may then verify the signatures of all references to ensure the correct assembly is loaded.

So if strong naming is used it is not easy to replace the assembly A with a newer version without recompiling B. There is however a strong name validation bypass feature for full trust application domains.

If you manage to bypass or disable the strong naming you should simply be able to replace the file in the directory with the new version and attach visual studio.

Upvotes: 1

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